top of page
Home: Welcome
Adventures in Breaking Impossible
We're all about ordinary people overcoming big, difficult challenges!
​
Join Chris and Michael as we train, travel and, step by step, build up to The Big One(s)
Previously we walked around Lake Washington (in 24 hours), ran marathons (and ultra-marathons), flipped a tire for a mile (twice), all to prepare for our biggest, most difficult challenge yet . . .
​
the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge
​
Search
Heroic running advice, without questions
Defeat is a crucial ingredient to heroics, see how we put it to work here at Breaking Impossible - with hope, and imagination.
Chris Toepker
Jun 1, 20245 min read
86 views
0 comments
Worldwide #March150 - let's Break Impossible, together
Who's with me?!
If you'd like to join in, or just follow along, we've created a WhatsApp Community: Worldwide #March150.
Chris Toepker
Feb 18, 20244 min read
126 views
0 comments
Being Wrong and DNFs: vLog 202305
A slight modification to Tool 6) Move as Much as Possible, Preferably Outside, But Not (now 90-minutes) (~) Two-hours Before Sleep (on...
Michael Van Elsberg
Mar 29, 20231 min read
67 views
0 comments
The Middle Four: vLog 202303
This slightly longer video explains the middle four of the 12 tools that Chris and I use to maintain our active lifestyle. We will be...
Michael Van Elsberg
Feb 27, 20231 min read
78 views
0 comments
The 12 Tools: vLog202301
Introduction to the 12 tools and the Breaking Impossible Method. Chris and I will be explaining why and how we use the rest of the 12...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jan 16, 20231 min read
249 views
0 comments
100 Miles is 100 Miles: vLog 202204
In our fourth video Chris is getting ready to do the Sörmlands 100 Endurance Run (you can follow him here), 14:00 Zulu (GMT/UTC),...
Michael Van Elsberg
Sep 14, 20221 min read
153 views
0 comments
Triggers, Habits and Training: vLog 202203
In our third video we talk about the power of habits, commitment, sleep, sobriety and just getting out there. Michael was still in Hong...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jul 13, 20221 min read
122 views
0 comments
Alcohol Free? vLog 202202
In this, our second YouTube video, discover which one of us is trying to convince the other to completely give up drinking alcohol, and...
Michael Van Elsberg
May 27, 20221 min read
165 views
0 comments
Chris's Top 10 Training Books
Breaking Impossible is listing our Top 10 inspirational books. Here’s why I put those books on my list! Of course, these are not my Top...
Chris Toepker
Apr 17, 20223 min read
73 views
0 comments
YouTube Channel: vLog 202201
Hello Everyone, please click on the picture above, like and subscribe, and stay tuned for future videos. In this first one, we introduce...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jan 29, 20221 min read
134 views
0 comments
Fitting it all in!
Fit in all the important items during the important "all the rest" eight hours, left over after Work, Family, and Sleep.
Chris Toepker
Nov 28, 20213 min read
150 views
0 comments
Radical Change: 100-Days of Total Commitment
Today is the last official day of a nearly 15-year job and 10-year position (I've technically been on "vacation" for the last two weeks)...
Michael Van Elsberg
Oct 16, 20213 min read
457 views
0 comments
Hails to the Rails: Newcastle Trail
By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...
Chris Toepker
Jul 2, 20212 min read
67 views
0 comments
Hails to the Rails: Cedar River Trail
By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...
Chris Toepker
Jun 25, 20211 min read
84 views
0 comments
Keep Going
The whole point of this blog is to encourage and inspire others that anyone can do big things if they are sufficiently motivated. So this...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jun 15, 20213 min read
158 views
0 comments
Palouse to Cascades trail
By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...
Chris Toepker
Jun 11, 20212 min read
172 views
0 comments
Training, Blogging and Moving Forward
We at Breaking Impossible are currently training for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge in 2026. The challenge is to run all four...
Michael Van Elsberg
Jun 9, 20212 min read
291 views
0 comments
Why do it at all?!
Add adventure to your mindset & toolkit to keep motivation high, get out more regularly & to be ready for anything that might #SuddenUponYou
Chris Toepker
Jun 1, 20215 min read
157 views
0 comments
Social Media Experiment
If you're reading this, you probably know me, or Chris, (or both), or maybe not (please let me know) and you've probably also read a post...
Michael Van Elsberg
May 31, 20212 min read
84 views
0 comments
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
By now you’ve noticed - I really enjoy running rails to trails. It’s the way they wind through so much, connecting it all. The rails are...
Chris Toepker
May 28, 20212 min read
89 views
0 comments
Home: Contact
Home: Subscribe
bottom of page